A bit of a different fare this week.   Since my hubby had the week off, we decided to explore a new church.

We went to Forest Church Now in London.   You can find out more about them here.

They follow a praise and worship style.

I mostly liked this song.   I disliked the repetition in it, but I generally do.  :)  

I did like the reliance on God, of seeing Jesus as the King of Heaven, of calling to see his glory reign.  How he is strong to save us and how none can stand against him.

Jesus,
Let Your kingdom come here
Let Your will be done here,
In us

Jesus,
There is no one greater
You alone are savior
Show the world Your love

[Chorus]
King of Heaven, come down
King of Heaven, come now
Let Your glory reign
Shining like the day
King of Heaven, come

King of Heaven, rise up
Who can stand against us?
You are strong to save
In Your mighty name
King of Heaven, come
[Verse 2]
We are,
Children of Your mercy
Rescued for Your glory
We cry Jesus,

Set our hearts towards You
That every eye would see You
Lifted high

[Chorus]
King of Heaven, come down
King of Heaven, come now
Let Your glory reign
Shining like the day
King of Heaven, come
King of Heaven, rise up
Who can stand against us?
You are strong to save
In Your mighty name
King of Heaven, come

[Bridge]
Oh, Oh

[Hook]
King of Heaven, come
King of Heaven, come
King of Heaven, come
King of Heaven, come

[Chorus]
King of Heaven, come down
King of Heaven, come now
Let Your glory reign
Shining like the day
King of Heaven, come
King of Heaven, rise up
Who can stand against us?
You were strong to save
In Your mighty name
King of Heaven, come

[Hook]
King of Heaven, come (oh, King of Heaven)
King of Heaven, come
King of Heaven, come
King of Heaven, come

[Chorus]
King of Heaven, come down
King of Heaven, come now
Let Your glory reign
Shining like the day
King of Heaven, come

A fountain will be opened to the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and impurity. Zechariah 13:1

Lyrics

There is a fountain filled with blood
Drawn from Emmanuel’s veins;
And sinners plunged beneath that flood
Lose all their guilty stains.
Lose all their guilty stains,
Lose all their guilty stains;
And sinners plunged beneath that flood
Lose all their guilty stains.

The dying thief rejoiced to see
That fountain in his day;
And there have I, though vile as he,
Washed all my sins away.
Washed all my sins away,
Washed all my sins away;
And there have I, though vile as he,
Washed all my sins away.

Dear dying Lamb, Thy precious blood
Shall never lose its power
Till all the ransomed church of God
Be saved, to sin no more.
Be saved, to sin no more,
Be saved, to sin no more;
Till all the ransomed church of God
Be saved, to sin no more.

E’er since, by faith, I saw the stream
Thy flowing wounds supply,
Redeeming love has been my theme,
And shall be till I die.
And shall be till I die,
And shall be till I die;
Redeeming love has been my theme,
And shall be till I die.

Then in a nobler, sweeter song,
I’ll sing Thy power to save,
When this poor lisping, stammering tongue
Lies silent in the grave.
Lies silent in the grave,
Lies silent in the grave;
When this poor lisping, stammering tongue
Lies silent in the grave.

Lord, I believe Thou hast prepared,
Unworthy though I be,
For me a blood bought free reward,
A golden harp for me!
A golden harp for me,
A golden harp for me;
For me a blood bought free reward,
A golden harp for me!

’Tis strung and tuned for endless years,
And formed by power divine,
To sound in God the Father’s ears
No other name but Thine;
No other name but Thine,
No other name but Thine;
To sound in God the Father’s ears
No other name but Thine.

The last two verses of the lyrics above are new to me.  I found it interesting how the verses changed depending on where I found them.   Some lines were reversed in order.   Just interesting.   Other changes in this hymn can be found here.

William Cowper is the author of this beautiful hymn, when I read the story of how this hymn came about, suddenly it had more depth to it.   Oh, how Cowper struggled.   You can read the full story here.

Imagine, being in the depths of despair, knowing that you face an examination that fills you with such dread, wanting to end your life and not being successful.  Imagine than having the knowledge impressed upon you about how God can erase the stain of any sin.   And thus a hymn was born.   Oh ... so many heart cries come out in hymns don't they?   When we realize fully a truth from God.

This hymn is one of them.  Go on....go read his story.

Another article I read changes the story a bit...so it's hard to know what details are accurate.  In this story, Cowper wrote this hymn shortly before his death after he was released from the sanitorium, when he was living a little house, with the words of Zech 13:1 filling his mind, writing this Spirit inspired hymn.  (source)

Regardless of the truth of how this story came about... Cowper was a man with a delicate spirit and mind, easily moved to depression, with good friends able to help him recover.   People who cared, but more importantly, a God who kept him close, teaching him what he needed to know of him, and it came out in beautiful words.

Good eh?

“Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.” Philippians 4:4

Lyrics
Once again I am surprised at how many verses there are to a familiar hymn.
You will note in the first verse I have the word rejoice after mortals.  This is what is says in our hymnal.  Rejoice instead of Mortals.

Rejoice, the Lord is King! Your Lord and King adore;
Mortals (rejoice) give thanks and sing, and triumph evermore;
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

Jesus, the Savior, reigns, the God of truth and love;
When He had purged our stains He took His seat above;
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

His kingdom cannot fail, He rules o’er earth and Heav’n,
The keys of death and hell are to our Jesus giv’n;
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

He sits at God’s right hand till all His foes submit,
And bow to His command, and fall beneath His feet:
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

He all His foes shall quell, shall all our sins destroy,
And every bosom swell with pure seraphic joy;
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice,
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

Rejoice in glorious hope! Jesus the Judge shall come,
And take His servants up to their eternal home.
We soon shall hear th’archangel’s voice;
The trump of God shall sound, rejoice!
(source)

 Written by Charles Wesley it first appeared in his brother John's book Moral and Sacred Poems in 1744. In 1746, Charles published it as one of 16 selections in Hymns for Our Lord's Resurrection. It originally had six verses.  (source)

As often happens with hymns, verses get dropped and such was the case with this hymn.  The fourth and fifth stanzas omitted in the settings used in The UM Hymnal. Of the four stanzas used in both settings in the hymnal (numbers 715 and 716), almost nothing has been altered from the original 1746 text, a testament to the quality of Charles Wesley's poetry. (source)

Charles Wesley (along with his brother John) wrote more than 6500 hymns in the 18th century.  He wrote this hymn to go along with Easter and Ascension. (source) as well as a way to encourage his Methodist brethren who were undergoing persecution.

My son has a meaningful birthday coming up so when the CrossTimber review came up  I thought WAY COOL!!!   This will work for my lad, and help make the birthday celebration more meaningful.   My lad so fits his name, it's amazing, and what a nice way to honour the young man he is becoming.

I immediately contacted John and Katie (since I live in Canada) to talk with them about the best way to do my order.  I had initially talked with them about getting some bookmarks along with a name plaque for my lad, but settled on just getting the name plaque, without the frame, since shipping to Canada has it's own challenges eh?  :)   They were SO nice to deal with.  Talking me through the pros and cons and different options.   Just marvelous customer service.

Isn't it just gorgeous?   I am so impressed, my camera pic simply doesn't do it justice.  Printed on a heavier quality paper you can just tell it will stand up over the years, especially once I get it into a nice frame.

I love that a personalized bible verse that my lad will be memorizing was chosen to be in his plaque.  This was the first bible passage that I memorized, so it's fitting.  Funny how God works things out eh?

So how did I go about getting this wonderful name plaque gift for my lad?

When you got to CrossTimber you will see a blue search bar at the top of the page, this bar leads you to all the products AND all the variations that you can use.  For the purpose of showing you I clicked on "castles and lighthouses".

See that arrow button on the bottom?   You use that button to scroll through the various options which pop up in the frame scene so you know what you would be getting.  You can add various options like a bookmark, pocket card, and so forth.

I thought all I was ordering was the name plaque, but I also received a pocket card and and these beautiful book marks.  Check them out eh?   These are quality  bookmarks which would stand the test of time and use.  Makes me think about getting a few more done for folks at our church...

Along with these lovely bookmarks, I was sent a couple of cards, here is a front and back view.

CrossTimber started from a bullied fellow who chose to be kind instead of retaliating, using love and kindness to change his sphere of influence.  The owners are kind, caring individuals who work hard to meet the needs of their clientele, sharing meaningful verses and name meanings.  They sell a variety of name meaning gifts and prices vary depending on the item.  They apparently haven't found a name yet they can't work with.

90 of us from the Homeschool Review Crew took at look at CrossTimber.   Most of us order Name Plaques, but some of ordered other items.  You really should go check them out.  Who knows, maybe you will be inspired to consider special day presents for those in YOUR sphere of influence, Christmas, birthdays, or simply just because.

If you do choose to order, note the following discount applies.

One more lovely thing for you to consider before you go.   CrossTimber is hosting a giveaway.  I know!!!   Neat eh?   Click the image below to be taken to the giveaway location.  Thanks eh?

Social Media Links:

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/meaning.name/
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/crosstimber

"He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows.” Isaiah 53:3

Lyrics

Man of Sorrows! what a name
For the Son of God, who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
In my place condemned He stood;
Sealed my pardon with His blood.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Guilty, vile, and helpless we;
Spotless Lamb of God was He;
“Full atonement!” can it be?
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Lifted up was He to die;
“It is finished!” was His cry;
Now in Heav’n exalted high.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

When He comes, our glorious King,
All His ransomed home to bring,
Then anew His song we’ll sing:
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Philip Bliss, American, author of this hymn.   He wrote several hymns such as Wonderful Words, Dare to be a Daniel and many more.  

He grew up in a family of a music loving Christian home.   He learned early the importance of prayer.   He loved music and at one point in his life trespassed in order to listen to a young lady play the piano.  He left home at age 11 in order to make his own way in the world, working at various trades. Between jobs and as able he attended school.  It took time but eventually he got enough credits to get his teaching certificate. 

At age seventeen, in 1855, he decided that he would take the final step in preparation for his life's work. ..... and finished the last requirements for his teaching credentials. .....In 1857 he met J. G. Towner who conducted a vocal school in Towanda, Pennsylvania. ..... Towner also made it possible for him to go to a musical convention in Rome, Pennsylvania, later that year. Here he met William B. Bradbury, a noted composer of sacred music. .... Bradbury had talked Philip Bliss into surrendering himself to the service of the Lord. The strong influence of these men in his life helped him to decide to be a music teacher. While still in his teens, Philip discovered that he had ability to compose music. His first composition was sent to George F. Root with this strange request, "If you think this song is worth anything, I would appreciate having a flute in exchange for it." He received the flute.(source) And so a hymn composer and music writer was born.

Originally he was part of the Methodist church, he met Lucy Young who brought him into the Presbyterian church when they married.  He worked in the field of music for the rest of his life.

In 1874 he joined D. W. Whittle in evangelical work. To this cause he gave (although a poor man) the royalty of his Gospel Songs, which was worth some thirty thousand dollars. (source)

Written…short­ly before his death, this was the last hymn I heard Mr. Bliss sing. It was at a meet­ing in Far­well Hall in Chi­ca­go [Il­li­nois], con­duct­ed by Hen­ry Moore­house. A few weeks be­fore his death Mr. Bliss vis­it­ed the State pri­son at Jack­son, Mi­chi­gan, where, af­ter a ve­ry touch­ing ad­dress on “The Man of Sor­rows,” he sang this hymn with great ef­fect. Ma­ny of the pri­son­ers dat­ed their con­ver­sion from that day.  (source)

He passed away early in life due to a tragic train accident.  He managed to get free of the wrecked car, but found his wife trapped within, he remained with her trying to free her, but they both perished.

Janie Street, who often counsels women whose husbands have sinned sexually, is the authour of this chapter.

"Sin is part of everyone's experience."   Oh... I like that quote.  :)  It frames the lessons of this chapter well.  It is good to know how to deal with this type of situation, as, even though it might not affect YOUR marriage, it will most likely affect the marriage of someone you know.

Point 1.
Pornography is not grounds for divorce.  If it were, any man or woman who ever had lustful thoughts for someone they aren't married to, could be divorced.   Divorce is only meant for those who have engaged in the physical act of immorality with another person.

Point 2
Sexual six has a variety of manifestations, which will not be delved into in this chapter.   How one deals with it will be.

How to respond to sexual sin.
1. Don't live in fear or expectation that your spouse will stray.

2. Trust your spouse.  "Trust between husband and wife is only as strong as the people are."   We are flawed, we won't trust as we aught to, but we still must trust.  Do not equate trusting your spouse with trusting God.  God can be trusted REGARDLESS.  He will not fail you EVER.  

3. If your spouse strays remember this truth.  It is not your fault.  It's not your looks, your housecleaning, your cooking, your whatever...your husband's sin is his own.   You may have your issues that you need to deal with and repent of.  But if you are working at being a good spouse and your spouse has failed in this area...let him own his own sin, you own your own.

4. Church leadership may become involved.  Make no accusations that cannot be proven.    Deal with your husband in a scriptural manner before you do anything else.

Biblical Response:

1. You are not a victim.  You have been sinned against, but you are not a victim.
2. Remember we all sin and are capable of so much sin. No need to become a man-hater.
3. Self-protection is a natural desire, but don't let it cause you to sin as well.
4. A good counsellor can help you work through various issues in your marriage, find one that upholds biblical counsel.

Always turn to the word of God.
Seek the counsel of those who have gone on before.
Continue to love your spouse.  This is what we are called to do.
Remember we are ALL sinners. ALL of us.
We have a higher calling than to respond in anger and bitterness.
Calling to
1. humility
2. gentleness
3. patience
4. Bearing with one another in love
5. Eagerness to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace

You need to question how that will look in your life as you work through your thoughts, feelings and attitudes about this particular sin in your spouses life.

“I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” John 14:6

Lyrics

1 Thou art the Way: by thee alone
from sin and death we flee;
and they who would the Father seek
must seek him, Lord, by thee.

2 Thou art the Truth: thy word alone
true wisdom can impart;
thou only canst inform the mind
and purify the heart.

3 Thou art the Life: the rending tomb
proclaims thy conquering arm;
and those who put their trust in thee
nor death nor hell shall harm.

4 Thou art the Way, the Truth, the Life:
grant us that Way to know,
that Truth to keep, that Life to win,
whose joys eternal flow.

George W. Doane is the author of this hymn, he was a considered an excellent poet and he wrote a few different hymns such as Fling out the Banner, let it Float as well Return and Come to God. 

Mr. Doane was an American man named after president George Washington.   Lived 1799-1859.  He took the position of Assistant Minister at Trinity church after graduation from Union College.   In 1824 Professor at Trinity college, 1828 Rector of Trinity Church in Boston.  He also was Bishop of New Jersey.  He founded St. Mary's hall in Burlington and also the Burlington College. 

Bishop Doane was man of talent and education, as well a strong character.  With a big heart, he had a great many devoted friends who remember him fondly.   He had a variety of troubles in his life, which affected his later poetry.   Four volumes of hymns and poetry show the work that he put forth.  

This hymn is by far his most popular.  Isn't it a great hymn?  With Softly now the light of day being his second most popular.

Even though he was considered a fair and able administrator and disciplinarian, he was not as good in the financial department when it came to the running of St. Mary's hall and the Burlington College.  He ran up rather large debts in regards to them.

I know that he had at a son named William, who also became a Bishop. 

Aware
Define:

• having knowledge or perception of a situation or fact.
  
• concerned and well-informed about a particular situation or development
  

Alive
I came to know
To be aware.

I am
Mindful of
the fact that
sensible though
I be.

That there is
a consciousness
greater than I.

And that
Consciousness
Is cognizant
of me.

And in my
growing I was
alerted to the fact
that this
consciousness
is
God.

And God
is always
Aware of me.

Hop on over to here and here to find more 31 day writers.  :)   Oh and Lisa from Canadian Homeschooler is doing a Canada series.   See the rest of my series here.

As a pastor's wife, part of your job is to model to the congregation a biblical approach to the keeping of the Sabbath.

Some reasons why keeping this fourth commandment is still important today.

1. The Sabbath, along with marriage and work, was instituted by God at creation.   These three creation ordinances are binding on all humanity.
2. It is a binding moral law.    God relates this commandment to his work of creation.  (Exodus 20:8-11)
3. alkj;j

So how does one live out the Sabbath as a binding moral law?

• The Sabbath is holy to the Lord, when men prepare their hearts.
• Order their affairs before the Sabbath.
• Observe a holy rest all the day from their worldly works, words, thoughts and recreation.
• And use the whole day for public and private worship.
• And perform deeds of necessity and mercy.

My thoughts:
I was talking with my hubby over the thoughts found in this chapter since I found them rather surprising, and he said "Pipa does not follow the continental approach to the Sabbath". Though what the term for it escapes him at the moment.  I look at these rules for the Sabbath and I think NO...that would be more work to be done before the Sabbath and then not being able to do stuff on the Sabbath (like go for walks and swim and what not).. that would be hard to work through.   I do think people NEED to remember that Sunday is the Lord's Day and doing things differently that day MATTERS. 

In our house we don't do unnecessary work (for the most part).   I don't cook (I let the fellows forage).  We attend services.  We don't pay for our recreation (so we won't go to a fair, go shopping, or attend rabbit shows for example).

I do think people need to think through what the Lord asks us of in regards to the Lord's Day.   We need to be mindful of where our hearts and minds are at.  We need to consider what we need to do so that we can come to worship WANTING to worship.  (so no staying up late on Saturday night).   I do think that the Lord is quick to forgive us though, so if you have a day where you do some laundry, or cook a meal, or go out for dinner or whatever... The Lord, if our hearts are right, will forgive us.

But that's my take on it.  :)

What do YOU think?   How do you make Sunday a day of rest?

"Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?" Genesis 18:25

Lyrics

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
His holy will abideth;
I will be still whate’er He doth;
And follow where He guideth;
He is my God; though dark my road,
He holds me that I shall not fall:
Wherefore to Him I leave it all.

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
He never will deceive me;
He leads me by the proper path:
I know He will not leave me.
I take, content, what He hath sent;
His hand can turn my griefs away,
And patiently I wait His day.

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
His loving thought attends me;
No poison can be in the cup
That my physician sends me.
My God is true; each morn anew
I’ll trust His grace unending,
My life to Him commending.

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
He is my friend and Father;
He suffers naught to do me harm,
Though many storms may gather,
Now I may know both joy and woe,
Some day I shall see clearly
That He hath loved me dearly.

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
Though now this cup, in drinking,
May bitter seem to my faint heart,
I take it, all unshrinking.
My God is true; each morn anew
Sweet comfort yet shall fill my heart,
And pain and sorrow shall depart.

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
Here shall my stand be taken;
Though sorrow, need, or death be mine,
Yet I am not forsaken.
My Father’s care is round me there;
He holds me that I shall not fall:
And so to Him I leave it all.

I have to admit, this is a relatively new hymn to me.   The truth is this: whatever, doesn't matter what it is... whatever God ordains for a person or a congregation or a country.. it is RIGHT. 

A bit about the hymn though.  :)

Written by Samuel Rodigast, I don't recall ever running into a hymn written by him before.   He's known to have written two hymns, one of which was translated into English.

A German, he was born in Groben in 1649,  He entered the University of Jena in 1668 (M.A. 1671), and was in 1676 appointed adjunct of the philosophical faculty. In 1680 he became conrector of the Greyfriars Gymnasium at Berlin. While in this position he refused the offers of a professorship at Jena and the Rectorships of the Schools at Stade and Stralsund. Finally, in 1698, he became rector of the Greyfriars Gymnasium, and held this post till his death.  (source)

This hymn was written by Rodigast in order to encourage up a very sick friend named Gastorius.   Gastorius was able to make a recovery and provided the tune for the poem, thusly turning it into a hymn.  (source)

I expect we'll be singing this hymn again as it's a great hymn eh?  :)